Chapter 12

As the warm sun rose in the sky, the dwarves gathered all of their belongings from the old campsite, and brought them to the new location. Ember slept on throughout the day. The dwarves each took turns watching over her, and trying to keep Kili busy. Realizing that the trolls must have had a cave nearby, Thorin took his nephews, Dwalin, Gloin, Nori and Bofur searching along with Gandalf. It wasn't long before they came upon the hoard. The stench of rotten meat and death wafted up from the cave. Gandalf grimaced, but ventured down into its depths. They returned with new weapons that they discovered deep in the cave. The swords that Gandalf and Thorin now wielded appeared to be of great Elvish make. Though Thorin had been loath to take them, Gandalf had assured him of their quality. He had even found a small sword suitable for Bilbo. The hobbit hastily strapped the sword to his belt and the group proceeded back to camp. Bifur sat near the fire, talking low in Khuzdul to Ember. Kili rushed over, but was surprised to see Ember still asleep. Fili followed, looking at Bifur in confusion.

"She is asleep, why are you speaking to her? Anyway, she doesn't know Khuzdul," he added. Bifur looked at the young dwarves and smiled.

"Perhaps she knows more than she lets on," he muttered in Khuzdul. He had awoken from a strange dream the day before, where he had been certain Ember had thanked him for something in his dwarven language. It had seemed so real…at any rate, whatever secrets she was harboring, she had saved him and his kin from certain death. He would talk all day if his words could ease her pain. Indeed, whenever she had seemed restless in sleep, he would murmur to her, and she would settle…in Khuzdul. Rising, he patted Kili on the arm, and went to water the horses.

That evening, the party was muted and somber. Ember had not stirred, and dark bruising had developed near the wound. The Company continued to cast glances in her direction, worry evident on more than one bearded face. Oin finally examined her once again. After several tense moments, the healer assured them that her long sleep was most likely a result of the strong draught he had given her. She was so small, the dose had been a little stronger than he would have liked, but her breathing was steady, deep and regular. Oin expected her to wake the following morning. The Company missed her teasing, her laughter, and her overall happiness. Thorin watched his nephew closely, as Kili seemed to hover near the sleeping girl. He worried he would need to have a talk with the boy…no heir of Durin could possibly be interested in a human. 'Women,' he thought to himself, 'always a distraction.' He would never admit to himself that he missed her presence as well. As the moon rose on the horizon, Kili and Fili offered to take the first watch. The Company settled down to sleep as the young dwarves grabbed their pipes and sat quietly around the fire. Fili had stayed close to Kili all day, deciding that it was time to have a talk with his baby brother. They sat in silence for awhile, smoking contentedly, until Fili was sure that the rest of the Company was asleep.

"Kili," his brother began softly. There was no reply, and he glanced to find Kili covering Ember with another blanket. Fili waited until he had sat back down before trying again. "Kili!" he repeated.

"Yes, nadad," Kili answered distractedly, his eyes on the still form nearby. Fili decided he better shock him back to focus.

"So...when will the wedding take place?" he asked innocently, blowing a smoke ring into the air.

"Wedding? What…" Kili trailed off, as he turned to his brother's knowing grin. Punching him in the arm, he sat down beside him. "I don't know what you are talking about, nadad," he growled. Fili sighed, deciding he needed to be straightforward.

"Kili, every dwarf in this Company can see your affection for her. Why should you not wish to court her?" Kili was silent. "Is this about Thorin?" Fili asked quietly.

"He will never accept a human in the line of Durin," Kili answered sadly. Fili put his arm around his brother's shoulders.

"Nadadith, if you truly believe your feelings for her are what I believe them to be, not even Thorin can object."

"Do you think she would feel the same, Fili?" Kili asked quietly. He had never been interested in any of the dwarves of their village. He had been teased often about his tall size and lack of beard, which was a sign of masculinity among their kind. The fact that he was an archer, rather than wielding a strong sword or axe only added to his perceived differences from other dwarves. Rejection from someone who he felt this deeply for would be something he could never recover from.

"Nadadith, I think she already does. I have seen the way she looks at you. You just have to take a chance…tell her." They stopped as Ember whimpered in her sleep. Kili watched silently as her dream became more vivid, her cries louder, the dream a nightmare. Kili immediately rose, and went to her. She sat up in fright, a gasp escaping her lips. He gently pulled her into his arms as she cried softly into his green tunic. She felt warm again in his arms, and he frowned.

"Nadad, some water," Kili murmured. Fili handed him a skein, watching as Kili coaxed her to drink. She sighed in thanks, her eyes seeking his in the moonlight. "Bad dream?" he whispered with concern. She nodded silently.

"So dark," she murmured. "My head..." she sighed, bringing a hand to her temple. Kili gently stroked the hair from her face. She gazed up at him, a shy look in her eyes. "Kili…will you…hold me?" she asked quietly. "Just until I fall asleep?" He glanced at his brother, who was barely suppressing a cheeky smirk, and laid down beside her on the bedroll. She turned into his chest as he brought his one arm around her, pulling her close. Her head rested just below his chin, and he buried his face into the golden locks, inhaling her sweet scent deeply. He began to hum a lullaby his mother used to sing to him, as Ember slowly drifted off to sleep.

"Ghul azan, vol kaon," he whispered, feeling his own eyes begin to close, not realizing they were both thinking the same thing: Never had they ever felt so safe before.

Ember awoke the next morning with her cheek pressed to Kili's chest. She listened contentedly to his breathing, deep and calm. Thankfully, he did not snore. She raised her head slightly to see that besides Bofur, who was on the final watch that morning, she was the only one up. He smirked at her knowingly as she untangled herself from Kili's arms, blushing furiously. She rose slowly to her feet, steadying herself before sitting down beside the happy dwarf. "I'm glad to see you up and about lassie," he said quietly. "How do you feel?" He was surprised to see that the bruising seemed much lighter in the morning light. She gave his hand a squeeze and smiled.

"My head is a little sore, but I feel better than yesterday. Is everyone else okay?" She surveyed the sleeping camp anxiously. Bofur chuckled, reassuring her that they were all fine, thanks to her. She glanced at him, a little surprised at his words. She hadn't saved them, had she? Her memory was a little fuzzy. She remembered reaching out towards the fire as Bofur cried out, and then….nothing. Just darkness, and scalding hot pain. She decided that she had better tell Gandalf what had happened. Surely he would know what was going on. She rose to her feet, and began to prepare breakfast.

As the others awoke to the delicious smell coming from the campfire, they each approached Ember in turn, giving hugs, smiles and even a punch on the arm (that was Dwalin) to show how glad they were that she was safe. They quickly filled her in on how they had been saved from the trolls, and she hugged Bilbo tightly. "I am so proud of you!" she whispered in his ear. The little hobbit smiled happily up at her. Thorin however, seemed less than thrilled.

"We need to get moving, we have been delayed by this incident for much too long already," he snarled pointedly in her direction. Ember bit back a smart remark. It was too early to fight with Thorin, even if he was right. They had lost an entire day due to her injury. She was about to apologize when a noise rumbled towards the camp.

"Thieves! Fire! Murder! " yelled the intruder, from a sled being pulled by jackrabbits. Though Gandalf smiled at his approach, Kili positioned himself in front of Ember.

"Radagast! Radagast the Brown! Ah. What on earth are you doing here?" Gandalf called.

"I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong!" He seemed about to say something more, but became flustered. "I had a thought, and now I've lost it. It was, it was right there on the tip of my tongue." He curled up his tongue and looked surprised. "Oh, it's not a thought at all; it's a silly old…" Ember strode forward and pulled something out of his mouth.

"Stick insect!" she laughed. Radagast smiled at her, throwing his arms around her.

"Ember, my dear! What are you doing here?" She grinned at him fondly, but before she could answer, he brushed a lock of hair back from her face, exposing the bandaged wound. He frowned, his eyes betraying his anger at her injury, but Gandalf quickly steered him away to speak privately. Ember's eyes followed them curiously, as she watched Radagast had Gandalf a cloth-wrapped package. Suddenly, a howl broke through the morning peace.

"Was that a wolf? Are there—are there wolves out there?" Bilbo stammered. Ember moved towards him, then froze in fear.

"Wolves? No, that is not a wolf," Bofur yelled. Behind Bilbo, a Warg appeared, snarling viciously. Ember dove for Bilbo as the Warg leapt towards him. An arrow pierced the animal's hide as Ember and Bilbo landed on the hard ground. A second Warg dashed into the fray, only to be brought down by Thorin. Dwalin quickly made short work of the third Warg.

"Warg-Scouts! Which means an Orc pack is not far behind!" Thorin rumbled. Ember helped Bilbo to his feet, feeling a little dizzy.

"Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?" Gandalf demanded of Thorin.

"No one," the king replied.

"WHO did you tell?"

"No one, I swear. What in Durin's name is going on?"

"You are being hunted," Gandalf grimaced.

"We have to get out of here," Dwalin shouted.

"We can't! We have no ponies, they bolted!" called Ori.

Radagast looked at Ember then without hesitation cried, "I'll draw them off!" Ember ran to him worriedly.

"These are Gundabad Wargs; they will outrun you." Gandalf said, placing a hand on Radagast's shoulder.

"These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I'd like to see them try." Radagast replied with a grin. He pulled Ember in for a hug, and she clung to him.

"No dirweg," she murmured softly, hoping no one would hear.

"De cherithon," he replied. He cupped her cheek and smiled before climbing back on his sled. Kili grabbed Ember's hand; the hunt was on.

Nadad - brother

Nadadith - little brother

Ghul azan, vol kaon - Good night blue eyes

No dirweg - be careful/be watchful

De cherithon - I will/I will do it

So...reviews are welcome! I own nothing but Ember